MINOR PARTIES: Gubernatorial Candidates Muse On Health Care
In an "unusual" debate in Orange County Monday, the five alternative gubernatorial candidates articulated their visions for California, which often included health-related topics. Partaking in the debate were former U.S. Rep. Dan Hamburg of the Green Party, Gloria Estella La Riva of the Peace and Freedom Party, Harold Bloomfield of the Natural Law Party, Steve Kubby of the Libertarian Party and Nathan Johnson of the American Independent Party. La Riva cast herself as the socialist alternative, advocating "free health care for those who need it," while Bloomfield called for more government health care funds for prevention. He said a prevention focus would result in savings, which could be spent on other priorities, such as education. Kubby "credits marijuana with holding his cancer in abeyance," and thus supports legalization of the substance, as do La Riva and Hamburg. A recent Field Poll indicates that "5% of those surveyed say they are voting for a minor party candidate." The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Hamburg is the only candidate with an acknowledged chance of affecting the outcome of the race. Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll, said, "The other candidates are equally unknown in both races -- except for Hamburg. Hamburg is going to get more than 1% or 2% of the vote, it appears to me. He will impact the race if it becomes one decided by a few percentage points."
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